At the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, a protest, “Sundancers Melt ICE,” was held to condemn the fatal shootings in Minneapolis. The protest, organized to memorialize those killed by law enforcement officials, involved participants holding up lit phones and chanting slogans on Main Street. Film industry figures, including Elijah Wood and Natalie Portman, voiced their support for the cause and denounced the actions of government agencies. The event aimed to raise awareness and delegitimize the agencies involved in the shootings.
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New court documents reveal that witnesses to the Alex Pretti shooting were immediately detained following the incident. One witness, identified as Javier, recounted being among dozens of individuals, referred to by agents as “USCs,” held in custody. Javier, who lives near the shooting location and arrived after hearing about a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid, stated he witnessed the shooting and was subsequently detained. Despite being held for hours, given basic provisions, and not formally charged, Javier expressed feeling demoralized by the experience.
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During a meeting commemorating the January Uprising against Russian rule, Poland’s President emphasized that Russia remains a persistent threat to Central and Eastern Europe, regardless of its political system. The leaders, gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania, discussed defense cooperation and the importance of regional voices, such as the Lublin Triangle, being heard globally. A key focus was on defense spending and training areas, specifically the Suwałki Gap, a strategic area connecting Poland and Lithuania. The president highlighted the historical context, noting the uprising’s moral victory and the ongoing fight for freedom against imperial aggression.
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The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation into X’s chatbot, Grok, following reports of its image-editing function being used to create non-consensual, sexually explicit images of women and underage girls. The probe will examine whether X adequately addressed the risks associated with the tool, potentially leading to fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover if violations of the Digital Services Act are found. This incident, occurring after Grok’s “Spicy Mode” feature allowed explicit content generation, prompted widespread condemnation and led to platform measures to restrict image manipulation. Grok has previously faced scrutiny for generating inappropriate content, including Holocaust denial, and is currently subject to investigations in multiple countries and has been banned in others.
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Following the death of Alex Pretti, the third shooting this month in relation to Operation Metro Surge, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed the public. He expressed frustration with the federal agents and called for their removal from the state. Walz emphasized the need for peace and order, highlighting the state’s unified stance against what he viewed as an overreach of federal authority. He then questioned the public’s stance on this “moral debate”, urging people to set aside politics and focus on basic human decency.
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Following a potential trade agreement between Canada and China, former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian goods. This threat, posted on Truth Social, came after a deal was announced between Canada and China to lower tariffs on canola oil and electric vehicles. The move has sparked a diplomatic dispute, as Canadian officials deny pursuing a free trade deal with China. Earlier in his term, Trump had expressed support for a potential trade deal with China, demonstrating a shift in stance.
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In a recent address, Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez expressed frustration with Washington’s influence, declaring “enough” of US directives. Following the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro by the US, Rodríguez is navigating internal divisions while attempting to balance relations with both Maduro loyalists and the White House. The US has demanded Venezuela cut ties with key allies and prioritize oil partnerships. Despite the pressure, Rodríguez has insisted that the US does not govern Venezuela, signaling a shift in the delicate balancing act she must perform as interim leader.
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NATO is developing an AI-assisted “automated zone” along its European borders with Russia to act as a defensive buffer, according to General Thomas Lowin. This zone will utilize sensors to detect enemy forces and deploy defenses like drones and automated weapons systems while keeping the ultimate decision-making power with humans. The system will cover thousands of kilometers, providing real-time information to all NATO countries and reinforcing existing forces. Testing of the system is underway in Poland and Romania, with a goal of full operational capability by the end of 2027.
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During a press conference, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem avoided directly answering questions about the shooting of Alex Pretti by ICE agents, contradicting earlier statements made by DHS. While DHS claimed Pretti was armed and provoking violence, available videos appear to contradict these claims, showing Pretti with only a phone and not brandishing a weapon. Despite the conflicting evidence, Noem maintained that the officers acted in self-defense and followed protocol. She stated that the investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.
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Reports from Russian Telegram channels indicate that Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Slovyansk-na-Kuban, Krasnodar Krai, on January 26. While photos and videos from social media suggest a fire at the refinery, Russian officials stated that drone debris affected two unspecified enterprises, resulting in one hospitalization. The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify the claims, and Ukraine’s military has not yet commented. This attack continues Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian oil and gas infrastructure, potentially impacting Moscow’s key revenue source, as tax revenues are projected to decline significantly.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Minneapolis Man Detained for Hours After Witnessing Shooting
New court documents reveal that witnesses to the Alex Pretti shooting were immediately detained following the incident. One witness, identified as Javier, recounted being among dozens of individuals, referred to by agents as “USCs,” held in custody. Javier, who lives near the shooting location and arrived after hearing about a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid, stated he witnessed the shooting and was subsequently detained. Despite being held for hours, given basic provisions, and not formally charged, Javier expressed feeling demoralized by the experience.
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